Confessions of a Grandma

Last week I learned a new card making trick, a fancy kind of pop-out card in a box. Paper cutter, scoring board, scissors, super sticky  tape. My directions called for a piece of card stock, 9" by 5".  Maybe I am just not big on following directions, but that seemed a.) wasteful of paper and b.)involving too much math and measurements using fractions. I used a piece of card stock that was 8.5 inches by 5 inches. I scored at 2", 4", 6" and 8"--much less margin for error.  Then score a lengthwise perpendicular line at 2.5".  I did not score through the last line but it does not matter if you do. Cut off half of the 1/2" section, then cut on just the top halves of the vertical lines.  Fold and crease the in tact scores.   Attach the 1/2" tab to the inside of the right hand section with double sided sticky tape.  You end up with an open box: Cut a 2.5" square of card stock.  Score a .25" line on either...

I met with the card making group for lunch and a card exchange on Thursday.  I made a dozen of these: and I came home with a variety of other cards.  We also made two cards with a lunch in between.  Fun. I think my grand son will like the underpants reference so he will get this one for his birthday in February. The 'get well' card...I hope not to have to use it. Saturday--used to always be my day to sleep in when I was working.  It is a habit that I still have.  When I was working, though, it was also a major clean the house and run all the errands that needed running once I got up.  That part has changed.  It is such a luxury not to have to run errands on the same day that every one else is.  My house was clean; my laundry was done.  I spent the day making Christmas and holiday cards.  I almost forgot to go out and get the mail. (in proces) In the evening, I went with two friends to "Poetry, Music...

 I went to a card party last Sunday--making cards, not playing cards.  I really liked these two projects because they are not overly fussy. Mike has been working on the computer long hours for the past couple of weeks.  He is selling some of his rather vast collection of antique motorcycle memorabilia.  This has given him something to do during the rainy times, but it has also drastically cut down on the amount of time I have spent in my virtual world. So, I have found other things to do.   I obviously was inspired by the origami card. These are felted slippers.  I'm working on a second pair and a hat.

Embossed trees Stamped and sticker cards Punch outs Scraps used to make gift tags I have been making Christmas cards bit by bit.  Since I am just learning how to do this, I have experimented with a lot of different designs and techniques.  I'm sure it would be more efficient to pick a design and make a whole bunch to send out, but I am not there yet.  So now some people will get nice handmade cards and some will get kind of crap cards.  In either case, everyone who gets a card from me will know it's handmade, for what that is worth.  It is a good thing I do not send out that many cards.  I like making the little gift tags and  using stamps and coloring them in, but I really like using chalk to blend a background.  The card with the ice skaters is my favorite. My card making friend's mother, who is 92 years old, made 80 Christmas cards to send out.  She also has made all the birthday cards for friends a...

Bobby at HOT COFFEE & COOL JAZZ  shared this recipe for Apple Cake .  I tried it and it was really good--spoke to me of all things autumn. Having a slight anti-authoritarian steak, I can never just follow a recipe exactly. When I made it, I substituted 1/4 cup of apple cider for 1/4 cup out of the 3/4 cup of oil and there were no problems with that.  I also used King Arthur white whole wheat flour.   Hey, this is Vermont.  There is no actual law that says one MUST use King Arthur flour, but is clearly the correct thing to do. I had a fun day with friends making Christmas cards today.  Donna and her mother have a fabulous assortment of all the right tools and lots of experience so I feel like I learned a lot. Incidentally, she served squash soup and the orange-cranberry scones that are currently featured on the K.A. site noted above.  Delicioso, as my 3 year-old (Dora the Explorer watching) grand son would say.

I started out for my exercise walk yesterday.  It was cool and I had a brisk pace going when I realized that it was just too easy!  I had to run for some intervals to break a sweat and get the old heart rate up enough for some aerobic benefit.  I ran to a telephone pole, walked to the next, ran to the next, etc.--unless it was steep uphill or on the paved road.  Old-woman-running is a sight that the general public probably should be spared.  Hey, at least I don't wear spandex exercise clothing.  At one point I actually did and could get away with it, but now...like I said, there are just things that the public should be spared from viewing.  Anyway, I probably ran a mile out of the 3.7 mile loop and did about the same this morning.  Believe me, I did get the heart rate up and a slow burn blazing in the buns.  I'm not sure where this burst of energy came from, but I hope it goes away because it is slightly annoying. Maybe...

On Sunday I went with a friend to a "Stampin' Up!" party. Remember Tupperware parties? This was more fun because we got to make two cards to take home instead of playing silly games. Ginnie and I were the only two there who were not totally immersed in the world of all things Stampin' Up. I mean, we knew about stamps and paper punches and the joys of fancy papers; we are both kind of artsy-craftsy types. We just were not fully prepared for the consuming world of the dedicated stamper, complete with its unique vocabulary. "Good-bye Chocolate Chip! I'm all about the Early Espresso now!" ( very similar browns) "Hand me that clam shell, please." (glue) "This embossing folder changed my life!!" "Oh, goodie! We're doing a top note." Like I said, it was fun to make the cards, but of course the intent of such parties is to sell things. There was no pressure here at all, but if we had to purchase everything we used to make those...